Monthly Allowance for Children of Vietnam Veterans Born with Spina Bifida
The Department of Veterans Affairs strives for excellence in patient care and veteran's benefits for its constituents through high quality, prompt and seamless service to United States veterans.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007, 1,163 children received benefits. The estimates for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 are 1,165 and 1,167 respectively.
Uses and Use Restrictions
No restrictions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Those children born with spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta, who are natural children of individuals who served in Vietnam, regardless of age or marital status, conceived after the date on which the individual first served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, without regard to the characterization of the individual's service.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Children born with spina bifida.
Credentials/Documentation
Birth certificate and military discharge certificate. Child must be born with spina bifida and be the natural child of an individual who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 2, 1962 through May 2, 1975.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
An application (VA Form 21-0304) may be obtained from a local or regional office (see Appendix IV of the Catalog), and submitted to the regional office. Applications are also available on-line at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.
Award Procedures
Awards are authorized at the regional office.
Deadlines
None. Entitlement is established from the date of receipt of the application, but not before October 1, 1997.
Authorization
38 U.S.C. 1805.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 57 percent completed in 90 days or less.
Appeals
Available through special board. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0102-0-1-701.
Obigations
(Direct Payments) FY 07 $18,254,000; FY 08 est $18,706,000; and FY 09 est $19,207,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Payments are $270, $930, or $1,586 monthly based on the degree of disability of the child.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
38 CFR 3.814. "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration field offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 461-9700.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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